Summary

Lakshmi shows her calculations to Mumtaz, who corrects her, saying that Lakshmi has at least five more years to go before she is free. Lakshmi decides she will do whatever it takes to get out of Happiness House. This includes increasing her clientele and what she will do for money. Shilpa, another girl at the house, sees Lakshmi as a rival, and warns Lakshmi to stay away from her own regulars, and laughs that Lakshmi believes Mumtaz’s five year estimate. Shilpa tells Lakshmi that none of the money she earns is going back to her family, and that Mumtaz will work Lakshmi until she is sick or useless, and will then be thrown out. A local boy who sells tea begins leaving tea for Lakshmi for free, and then gives her a Coca-Cola for free, too, saying that he and Lakshmi are...